2017 May Newsletter

The annual 5281 Awards ceremony is the City and County of Denver’s traditional way of recognizing and honoring city employees who exemplify the STARS values and go above and beyond expectations in their conduct, work ethic, dedication, and above all their passion for the position they hold with the city. The awards strive to maintain the City and County of Denver's commitment to diversity. The 5281 Awards are a prestigious honor and each year the winners are personally recognized by Mayor Michael B. Hancock. In addition to the STARS awards, there is also a Sustainability category that recognizes actions to promote the city’s sustainability goals.

If you are a beginner or an intermediate player, the Women's Golf Experiences are for you. In conjunction with the Colorado Women's Golf Association, Denver Golf is hosting THREE events this year.

May 13 @ Overland Park SOLD OUT July 8th @ City ParkNEW!! July 16th @ Harvard Gulch

At City Park you will have a 1/2 day of lessons covering fully swing, putting, chipping and rules & etiquette. Price includes lunch and prizes after golf! New this year, Harvard Gulch will host an on-course clinic. Price Includes 9-holes with lesson followed by lunch. For more information or to register,click here.

Willis Case will continue their Yoga For Golf classes in 2017. Classes are drop-in and are Every Thursday night at 6 pm.

Night Golf Events May 19 @ Overland Park

Come take part in The Mile High City's premier after hours golf experience! Night Golf gears up in May at Overland Park. $55 includes your green fee, glow balls, glow accessories, and one drink ticket. Sign up begins May 12. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register. **Early sign up available when you like the Overland Park Facebook Page: facebook.com/OverlandParkGolfCourse.

Denver City Amateur Registration Is OPEN!June 17 & 18 at City Park

Compete with other amateurs from in and around the Denver Metro area. ALL handicap levels welcome. You do NOT have to be a Denver Resident to play and the field is flighted! Register today and compete with other amateurs in your handicap level. $150 Includes green fees and range balls for two days.

Ladies Only: June 12 @ Harvard Gulch-5 PM On Course Mixer: June 26 @ Overland Park-4:30 PM Full SwingPrice includes instructional tips, 9-hole green fee with cart, drink and appetizer. All levels welcome. Come out to socialize and have fun playing golf! To register or for full schedule go to:www.cityofdenvergolf.com/programs

What to expect this season at City Park Golf CourseWith the 2017 golf season underway, we want to make sure you know what's happening at City Park Golf Course. It will be business as usual all spring, summer and fall at one of Denver's most beloved courses, as play on the current City park Golf Course layout continues all season.This summer,City Park Golf Course will host the Denver City Amateur Championship, as well as a number of other tournaments, leagues and community events. The clubhouse, pro-shop and Bogey's Restaurant will also be open through the 2017 season.When the course closes for renovation in late 2017,the redesign will preserve the best features of City Park Golf Course and enhance how all course elements fit together. Panoramic views, tree-lined fairways, undulating greens and an accessible clubhouse will continue to be enjoyed by golfers and neighbors alike for generations to come.City Park Golf Course will reopen in 2019 following completion of the redesign. The renovated 18-hole course will integrate stormwater detention, which is a very common and environmentally sustainable practice. Golf courses have a long and proven track record of providing effective flood control to neighboring communities through beautiful course designs. The process to identify the redesign contractor will also be completed this season, with the selected team announced in summer 2017. The competing teams include some of the industry's top golf course designers, engineers, architects and construction contractors. We'll be in touch throughout the 2017 golf season on upcoming events and opportunities to learn more about the redesign. In the meantime, learn more at CPGCredesign.org.

The Denver Golf Family welcomes our new Facility Maintenance Technician, John Anderson. John will be helping with maintenance and upkeep at all of the Denver Golf Facilities.

Capital Improvements

Kennedy sidewalk construction in progress on the North West section of the walk. Moving of Utilities underground still in progress.

Harvard Gulch - 2017 - Early 2018 New irrigation system and pond renovation. Site utility survey has been completed.

Wellshire irrigation renovation. Construction Late 2017- Early 2018. Going out to bid first week of April.

What a Winter!By Bobby Murtaugh Superintendent, Willis Case

The winter of 2016/2017 was one of the warmest and driest on record. February 2017 had many days breaking into the 50 degree range and there were grass fires – in February. The warm weather created problems for many courses along the front range, especially with winter damage to the greens. The warm daytime temperatures would melt the snow quickly and then the freezing night time temperatures would turn the thaw into ice. The cycle of freeze thaw would continue and cause damage to low lying areas or typically flat greens. The older flatter greens predominately grassed with Poa Annua suffered the most damage. Ice is typically not a problem for greens as the research shows that Poa Annua AKA- annual Bluegrass, can withstand ice cover up to 40 days or more without suffering death. Professional turf managers discuss and debate the best methods to handle snow and ice, on greens. There seems to be no one correct answer as to take it off or leave it on as a protective cover. The turf managers I have talked with this year had ice damage weather they removed the snow and ice, or if they left it alone as a cover. It would appear the grass can manage just fine under a cover of ice where the temperature doesn’t fluctuate. The damage seems to be caused by the cycle of warming up and then freezing, again and again. Many courses along the front range have begun the long and arduous task of sodding the dead greens. Recovery of the smaller areas will come with time, thru aerification, seeding, topdressing and additional fertlizers.